Bush Nephew Walks AwayFrom Thompson

Another staffer on Fred Thompson's presidential non-campaign has quit, days after Thompson moved aside his campaign manager, sources familiar with the Thompson operation said.

Sam LeBlond, who had been hired to help coordinate Thompson's political events on the road, has departed, said one adviser, who did not want to be named discussing personnel matters. Another senior adviser said the campaign has not been able to reach LeBlond Thursday to confirm his departure.

LeBlond, who is the nephew of President George W. Bush, did not return calls left as his Bethesda home Thursday.

Thompson removed Tom Collamore, a former tobacco executive, as the campaign's chief executive on Tuesday. The campaign's research director, J.T. Mastranadi, has also quit. Randy Enwright, a political operative from Florida, will manage the campaign's political operations, aides said.

One campaign adviser said several volunteers and interns walked out of Thompson's McLean, Va. offices Wednesday in frustration. Communications Director Linda Rozett said there had been "no mass exodus" of volunteers, adding that on Thursday "there were plenty of people here to eat up the pizza before I got any."

Rozett added that: "We're not at a loss for people who want to help Fred Thompson should he decide to run."

--Michael D. Shear

Slow trickle of departures and staff moves continues ahead of former Senator's announcement of presidential bid.